On one side, you have the San Antonio Spurs, a monolithic franchise that plays a pugnacious style that is a perfect match for your own; or the New Orleans Hornets, a nascent team that has every component required to make it to June for the next decade.

And on the other side, you have the Nets, a team of children that might not make the playoffs over the length of your four-year contract.

Eduardo Najera, explain yourself.

"I don't see it that way," the eight-year veteran said in a phone conversation yesterday. "First of all, there's really a small difference between the best teams in the NBA and the worst teams -- I truly believe that. And if you play the right way, you have a chance.

"Remember, talent isn't everything. I'm coming from a (Denver) team that had so much talent and a huge ($83 million) payroll, yet we never got out of the first round, and last year we were the last team to make the playoffs.

"Look at a team like Portland: They're very young, yet they can break through at any time. Sometimes it's best to have young legs. If you're taught the right way, you can compete with anybody. And I want to be a big part of the education of these young guys."

Okay, then put it this way: San Antonio and New Orleans are a short flight away. Why would a native Mexican living in Oklahoma City uproot his wife and two young children to live in, of all places, New Jersey?

"I'm not going to lie. The Spurs and Hornets were in the mix," Najera said. "But in the end, I felt a change would be good -- to go east, to play for a totally different kind of team."

So when he decided to sign with the Nets after meeting with team officials Thursday night, the 32-year-old forward weighed two factors (besides money) above all others: comfort level and where he believed he could be most useful.

And that's what makes him a unique NBA player.

By now, Najera's reputation is well-known. He is a plow horse with heart and skill -- not the most gifted athlete, not a box-score stuffer, but someone who makes teams better during his 20 to 22 minutes of floor time each night.

That assessment is universal: Allen Iverson said Najera is "somebody who is fun to play with" because "Eddie doesn't have a selfish bone in his body -- all he thinks about is 'team.'" George Karl called him "one of those no-maintenance guys, who plays for one purpose, and that's winning." His former boss in Dallas, Mark Cuban, regarded him as "the epitome of effort and hustle."

The Nets knew all this going in. They just needed to seal the deal, and Najera said only one guy could do that. So after he finished his dinner in Orlando Thursday night with team president Rod Thorn, general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and coach Lawrence Frank, Najera and Frank wandered off for the next 90 minutes for further discussion.

"That was the final selling point," Najera said. "I already know Kiki from Denver -- he builds character teams, and I like that. But I spent a lot of time with Lawrence, and he walked me through the whole system, showed me where I could help them out. And in no time, I knew this was the team.

"The thing that stood out was his passion. I could relate to him. I'm the same way. I'm a guy who only cares about winning, and I'll do whatever it takes. He shares the same passion. That's what sold me."

"This is a very engaging guy -- our fans are going to love him," Frank said of Najera yesterday. "I just gave him an honest assessment of where we are and where we're going. Kiki had given me great insight into him as a person, so we sat in my room and shared philosophies, and we realized that we both value the same things -- the importance of character, the importance of competing and mental toughness. And Eduardo brings all that. Everyone who has ever dealt with him knows that."

But is he mentally equipped to handle the impending headaches? The Nets aren't likely to crash the playoff party with much gusto anytime soon, and rebuilds are often a frustrating experience.

"I know the team is very young, but that's why I'm coming," said Najera, married with two young children. "I'm a defensive player who can give them leadership and rebounding. And I felt great that they made the first (four-year) offer, because I was looking for a long commitment.

"Denver was a freestyle team, but I can be more productive here, with a more disciplined team, a well-coached team. Yes, it's young. But I will help teach them what I know, and hopefully they can get better every year, every month. That's why I'm coming to New Jersey."